Texas Rangers Trade Ian Kinsler to Detroit Tigers for Prince Fielder

It’s not quite breaking anymore, but tonight the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers agreed to trade Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder. It is a one for one trade, and according to multiple reports Detroit is also sending some cash Texas’ way. The trade was first reported by CBS’ Jon Heyman.

Fielder’s contract has $168 million remaining on it, and goes through 2020, while Kinsler’s has $67 million remaining on it and goes through 2017, with a $5 million buyout on a player option for 2018. Also, according to reports, Fielder had the option to block the trade and did not.

Fielder is exactly the type of power bat the Rangers needed in this lineup, and has the potential for some huge numbers at the Ballpark in Arlington. However, it’s undetermined what affect Texas BBQ will have on his weight.

Meanwhile, Kinsler’s departure allows Jurickson Profar to play full time in the bigs, which is something the Rangers (and fans) have wanted for a few years now.

Seeing how Detroit is also sending $30 million to Texas, this trade works out very well for both teams. Texas still needs to address left field and catcher, but they’ve added a power bat in Fielder that they sorely needed in 2013.

Source: Detroit will be sending $30 million to Texas in the Prince Fielder deal.

Taking on a huge contract like this sounds like it could handcuff Texas financially moving forward, but seeing how Detroit is sending $30 million to the Rangers, it doesn’t necessarily rule out Bryan McCann or Shin Soo Choo, two free agents that have been linked to the Rangers recently. It also doesn’t rule out Texas going after Nelson Cruz, who they are still in talks with.

It does, however, rule out Mike Napoli, who many Rangers fans (including myself) would have loved to see back in the Metroplex. Napoli will probably go back to Boston now, with Colorado also having an outside shot to sign the 1B/C.

Ranger fans will miss seeing Kinsler in the lineup, but this is a great addition to the offense.

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The site is owned and operated by Jamie Plunkett, a TCU graduate with a B.S. in advertising and public relations. In short, he’s a sports junkie. Born and raised in Dallas, he grew up following Dallas sports closely and passionately. He created the Dallas Sports Rant as an opportunity to unleash his sports knowledge and bias on the rest of the world. He also performs a pretty excellent karaoke version of Ice Ice Baby.